ABR Vol 6 [3] May2015 78 | P age ©2015 Society of Education, India Advances in Bioresearch Adv. Biores., Vol 6 (3) May 2015: 78-92 ©2015 Society of Education, India Print ISSN 0976-4585; Online ISSN 2277-1573 Journal’s URL:http://www.soeagra.com/abr.html CODEN: ABRDC3 ICV 7.20 [Poland] ORIGINAL ARTICLE Classification and Prioritization of Negative Factors Affecting on Mangrove Forests Using Delphi Method (a Case Study: Mangrove Forests of Hormozgan Province, Iran) Davood Mafi-Gholami 1 , Jahangir Feghhi 2 *, Afshin Danehkar 3 , Nabiollah Yarali 4 1-Department of Forestry and Forest economics, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Tehran, Shahid Chamran Blvd., Karaj - Iran Email: davoody3817@yahoo.com 2*Department of Forestry and Forest Economics, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Shahid Chamran Blvd., Karaj - Iran 3-Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Shahid Chamran Blvd., Karaj - Iran 4-Department of Forest Science, Faculty of Natural Resources and Earth Science, University of Shahrekord, Shahrekord, Iran ABSTRACT Generally, planning and prioritizing managerial operations and also providing appropriate tools for mitigating destructive consequences of stresses and disturbances affecting on forest ecosystems requires classification and prioritizing of these negative factors. Among different approaches for ranking and prioritizing, Delphi method due to its content validity, high flexibility, multidisciplinary nature and also using in the wide range of geographical area is an appropriate tool for prioritizing of multiple environmental stresses in various ecosystems. Thus, in this study, Delphi method was used for prioritization of stresses and disturbances affecting on mangrove forests. Results showed that based on current position and status of mangrove forests in Iran, stresses and disturbances resulting resulted from anthropogenic factors compared to other negatively effecting factors have higher importance coefficient. Results also showed that storm, drought and air temperature among meteorological factors placed in latest ranks, while sea level rise compared to other factors has more importance and priority. Finally it can be said that results of the this study could be used as decision making supporting tool for sustainable planning and management of mangrove forests in Iran and other similar mangroves in coastal areas of Persian Gulf. Keywords: Stresses and Disturbances, Delphi method, Mangroves, Iran. Received 12/02/2015 Accepted 14/04/2015 ©2015 Society of Education, India How to cite this article: Davood Mafi-G, Jahangir F, Afshin D, Nabiollah Y. Classification and Prioritization of Negative Factors Affecting on Mangrove Forests Using Delphi Method (a Case Study: Mangrove Forests of Hormozgan Province, Iran).Adv. Biores., Vol 6 [3] May 2015: 78-92. DOI: 10.15515/abr.0976-4585.6.3.7892 INTRODUCTION Nowadays, world mangrove forests by about 137760 Km 2 , originate more than 21 ecological services and 45 natural products 1 and have important role in human welfare at different levels including local, regional and worldwide 2. Regarding to great importance of these ecosystem services in providing human requirements, degradation of this unique coastal habitats during past three decades is intensified in all over the world so that until now more than 50 percent of world mangrove forests subjected to degradation and decreasing quality in a continues trend 3. Different coastal ecosystems, especially mangroves, almost permanently and simultaneously subjected to multiple environmental stresses and disturbances (geologic, physical, chemical and biological) which diverse in their temporal and spatial characteristics. These stresses occurred by natural and anthropogenic factors such as storms, diseases, deforestation, changing the coastal landforms and extending croplands and residential areas, development of coastal recreational areas, aquaculture and destructive effect of oil pollution as well as wastewaters containing Advances in Bioresearch